Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital (RJAH), the UK's leading orthopedic hospital, has chosen the Thermo Scientific Excelsior ES tissue processor for the preparation of samples in its histopathology laboratory. The Excelsior^TM ES has set new standards for the efficiency of tissue processing at the facility, significantly reducing turnaround times by 38 percent for bone specimens, from 52 hours to 32.5 hours. In addition, the advanced reagent management system incorporated into the new instrument brings objectivity to the rotation of reagents, which further enhances reproducibility of processing.   

The histopathology lab at RJAH plays a significant role in the hospital's Bone Tumor Service, one of only five specialist sites in the UK approved for the diagnosis and surgical management of bone tumors. Prior to installing the Excelsior ES, the laboratory had been experiencing challenges with its tissue processing equipment, with the time being attributed to the preparation of samples for analysis being of particular concern. According to RJAH, one of the primary deciding factors in choosing the Excelsior ES was the instrument's capability to meet the laboratory's most demanding tissue processing applications. For RJAH, incorporation of the new processor into the laboratory has provided a safe, reliable instrument which offers consistent results, particularly for its bone samples.    

In addition to reducing the overall turnaround time for sample processing, the implementation of the Excelsior ES at RJAH has also improved the quality of the sample processing itself.  In the past, the shrinkage of marrow/soft tissues from bony structures was commonly seen in the laboratory. By upgrading to the new instrumentation, the team at RJAH has noticed a marked reduction in its incidence. The Excelsior ES has also provided RJAH's histopathology department with the benefits of ease-of-use, improved maintenance of morphological integrity and reagent cost savings. 

Nigel Harness, manager of the Histopathology Lab at RJAH, says: "The Thermo Scientific Excelsior ES was selected for its excellent efficiency and ability to meet our most demanding tissue processing applications.  The implementation of the instrument has considerably enhanced laboratory productivity and sample turnaround has been accelerated while ensuring optimum results.  The impact of a 38 percent reduction in our processing time for bone samples means that diagnoses are achieved more quickly and patients can be treated faster."   

For more information about the Thermo Scientific Excelsior ES, please call + 44 (0)800 018 9396,  or visit www.thermo.com/pathology

 Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.